Buyers Agents & Sellers Agents

There seems to be some confusion on the roles of real estate agents in a transaction.  In most instances, real estate agents fall on either the buyer side or the seller side.  Representing either the buyer or the seller.

Whether you are needing to buy a home or sell a home, a REALTOR brings value to your transaction.

 

Listing Agents Sell the Home

Experienced agents use their knowledge of your neighborhood and the current housing market to position your home to sell at the highest possible price. Top listing agents sell homes day in and day out. Here is a list of services most listing agents offer to sellers:

  • Top-notch marketing materials and proven selling systems.
  • Professional virtual tours and photography.
  • Wide internet exposure.
  • Promotion at company meetings and MLS meetings.
  • Networking with fellow real estate agents.
  • Price guidance according to market data and recent sales.
  • Home stagers, inspector and repair contractor referrals.
  • Buyer feedback and private showings.
  • Confirmation of potential buyer qualifications.
  • Counteroffer and negotiation expertise, especially with multiple offers.
  • Guidance to get past the home inspection without making repairs.
  • Suggestions for dealing with low appraisals.

Buyer’s Agents Work for the Buyer

A buyer’s agent’s job is to put the buyer’s interests first, disclose all the material facts, keep all information confidential, and expertly negotiate on the buyer’s behalf.

Some of the services that a buyer’s agent can offer you that you might not be able to obtain on your own:

  • Provide comparable sales figures and sales data from MLS based on map searches.
  • Pull property profiles reflecting sales history, property data, demographics and neighborhood services.
  • Obtain the home’s historical documents.
  • Run reports on the listing agent’s list-price to sales-price ratios.
  • Calculate annual facts and trends about an area.
  • Suggest a pricing strategy.
  • Prepare a strong offer that presents the buyer in the best light based on market demands and agent interaction.
  • Review sales documents for loopholes
  • Obtain disclosures.
  • Provide a buffer between you and the seller’s agent.

The best buyers agents specialize in certain locations.  For instance, Don Wessel focuses specifically on Greenville SC real estate.  For that reason not only will he be ultra knowledgeable of that location but he can build out a specific page that provides everything you need to know about Greenville real estate.   As an example of a real estate page built from a buyers agent perspective review his Greenville page.

Greenville SC Real Estate

Dual Agency

In some instances, a real estate agent will represent BOTH the buyer and the seller.  This usually happens when the listing agent finds the buyer through one of their marketing channels, whether it be a phone call from a sign, lead from the internet or simply someone they know.  Some states do not allow dual agency.  The argument is that one person can not accurately represent both the buyer and the seller.  The other side of that argument is that REALTORS have a fiduciary responsibility to their client.

Whether you are buying or selling your home the odds are in your favor that you will have a better experience if you hire a reputable real estate agent.

More Info on Dual Agency in Real Estate